Golfito Costa Rica Fishing

Golfito sportfishing in Costa Rica has deep roots. Robert McGuinness, father of IGFA world’s top captain in 2006 and 2010, Bobby McGuinness (seen here, below) with this huge Grouper) who has made a stellar international name for himself over the past two decades as a Costa Rica sportfishing charter captain, came from the USA to the banana port of Golfito in the South Pacific region the in the late 1950s to work for the United Fruit Company.

Golfito is about 250 km from San José by road, much of the route passing through some of the most beautiful areas of the country. It a 55-minute commuter flight from San José.

Golfito fishing’s great potential

In the 1930s the United Fruit Company opened the port of Golfito on the western side of Golfito Dulce to export its bananas. At Golfito’s peak in the 1950s, 90% of banana exports from Costa Rica went through the port. However, as United Fruit found it more profitable to grow bananas in less developed and lower-salaried Central American countries, it closed its Golfito operations, and the area in general stagnated.

There is no other area in Costa Rica – or very few anywhere else in the world for that matter – that encompasses Golfito and Puerto Jiménez inside the Golfo Dulce, south towards the Panama border, and north along the coast to Drake Bay, with the incredible offshore/inshore saltwater sportfishing species combination found off the South Pacific coast.

A dozen Snapper family species

Anglers who come for a Golfito fishing adventure can catch every offshore and inshore species that you will find in Costa Rican waters. There are more than a dozen different Snapper family species alone!

Robert McGuinness began an infant Costa Ricans charter sportfishing operation in Golfito, finding clients, and began training locals as mates. Unfortunately, his endeavor was brought to a screeching halt in a tragic airline accident north of Golfito that claimed his life. However, his legacy persisted. Among those whom Robert McGuinness trained and went on to become successful Golfito fishing captains were his sons Donald and the younger Bobby.

Golfito Costa Rica fishing bite peaks earlier

Today Bobby McGuinness and other skilled local Costa Rica sportfishing captains have made Golfito one of Costa Rica’s major sportfishing destinations, and the town is booming again.

The Golfito fishing season for billfish usually peaks earlier than in the Central Pacific. Once the rains stop, by mid/end of November, anglers who travel to Golfito for a Costa Rica sportfishing charter can expect lots of Sailfish, along with a goodly number of Blue Marlin, both going 10 miles or so south outside Golfo Dulce, or north along the Pacific coast towards Drake Bay. Black and Striped Marlin tend to come in a bit later. Yellowfin Tuna also arrive in Golfito earliest.

Enjoy Golfito fishing inshore

Often the best way to decide what to include in your own custom tailored sportfishing package is to see what others before you have reserved.

Golfito fishing is an inshore anglers delight. At any time of year, anglers coming to fish Costa Rica can expect to catch big Roosterfish; Snapper family species such as Cubera, Colorado, Red, Mullet and Spotted Rosy; Grouper; Pompano; Jack; Mackerel; Shark and small Barracuda.